Islam

Muslims believe the prophets of God are His messengers to human kind, they include; Adam, Noah, Joseph, Luke, Moses, Abraham, Jesus and Muhammad. Salman noted in our discussion that Noah should be an example to us all because he preached for 950 years and was listened to by less than a dozen people. All others mocked him so he was very courageous in his obedience and faith.

The Kaaba is the most sacred place in Islam. The Kaaba is located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is where millions of people make a pilgrimage. Salman said during his pilgrimage to Mecca there were over 3 million people who answered the call of prayer and in a matter of minutes were lined up side by side, shoulders touching so that Satan could not squeeze in.

The Quran is treated in the Muslim world with a reverence very similar to that of a flag by a patriot in America. We believe a worn out flag must be destroyed in a certain manner in order to show proper respect and reverence. The treatment of the Quran is even more reverent to the Muslim. The Muslim faith requires worn out copies of the Quran be wrapped in a cloth and stored in a safe place, buried in a mosque, buried in a Muslim cemetery or burned and the ashes buried or burned and the ashes scattered over water. There are some Muslims who even believe a specific cleansing ritual must be performed before touching the Quran. (Chapter 56 vs 79 “none shall touch but those who are clean”) However others believe this verse is speaking of clean as a person who is not living in sin without being repentant and going to God for forgiveness.

There are religious leaders and scholars in Islam but there are no intermediaries between God and the worshipper in Islam like the Priest to Catholicism...

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... sects goes back to the death of Muhammad when they were to choose his successor as the leader. Shi’ites wanted Ali who was the relative of Muhammad and the Sunni wanted Abu Bakr. Sunnis are the largest sect of Islam with 940 million members while the Shia have 120 million followers. There is also a group of Shi’ites called the Twelvers who believe the 12 Imam successors of Muhammad were without sin and had been chosen by God through Muhammad. The Shi’ites also celebrate the birthday of Muhammad which the other sects say is an unknown date. (the others only acknowledge that Muhammad was born on a Monday in an unknown month) The Shi’ites also celebrate the month of martyrdom and have pilgrimages to the shrines of the Twelve Imams.

Shi’ite buildings providing religious education include madrasehs and maktabs. Madrasehs are use for advanced training in theology.